The 2003 U.S. Open champion, Andy Roddick, has announced his retirement following the end of the tournament in Queens, N.Y.
Andy Roddick announced his retirement at a press conference. He looked back at all the players who competed against him and pointed out that Roger Federer was the only active player from that era.
Roddick said it is about the way his body feels. "I have other interests that excite me."
One of these plans that Roddick has in store is a youth center in Austin Texas. He said he would prefer to be on-site as center gets built. Along with the center, Roddick expressed he has other side projects he will like to get more hands-on and involved.
Roddick confessed to having feelings of the end nearing as he was "Walking off at Wimbledon." He also expressed that he could not imagine himself being in the U.S. Open again next year.
For the first time in his career, he said did not know that he can put everything physically and emotionally. Roddick thought about playing smaller schedule, but said he was "either all in or not."
Roddick came out today because he "wanted a chance to say goodbye to the other players." He pictured himself in an empty locker room and did not want to leave the game without seeing his former opponents who he has competed against for many years.
Roddick recalled sneaking into the players' cafeteria without credentials and sat down to play with Pete Sampras "Mortal Kombat" and beating him a couple of times.
Roddick first appeared in Queens at the 1998 Juniors.
Roddick turned 30 today and will face Bernard Tomic in the night session on Friday.
